Reprap firmware with cnc... what free cam software?

breed

I've been using rrf for my 3d printers for quite a while. Getting back into cnc after many years away. Used mastercam with mach3 back then. Any suggestions for cam software with rrf? old copy of mastercam or some other free cam software? Could prob get hands on Gibscam also. Mostly just gonna be plate making.

oliof

@breed try Kiri:moto https://grid.space/kiri

breed

@oliof thanks I'll check it out.

jumpedwithbothfeet

@oliof on the off chance do you know a free/cheap 5 axis cam?

oliof

@jumpedwithbothfeet FreeCAD has a cam workbench, but I don't know whether it's 5 axis

o_lampe

@breed I tried Fusion360, which is available as trial version. Just have to extend the trial period every 12 month.
I never tried the CAM part of it for real. Not sure which 'dialect' to choose from the endless list in F360? Also not sure, if the free version supports 5 axis...

jumpedwithbothfeet

@oliof thanks I have freecad but I'm still learning, I did find this thread though so maybe there is hope!

https://forum.freecadweb.org/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=50276

@breed apologies If I have interrupted your original post

oliof

Autodesk keeps removing features from the "hobbyist" free version, and just recently even announced they'll remove local simulation (a paid feature) and will in the future only offer cloud based simulation which they charge extra for. It's not even free as in beer, it's more like free as in "the first hit is free, but eventually you'll pay".

Nightowl

I'm not really sure "free" software is the way forward.

As a retired pensioner, every £1 I spend has to be justified, but I went down the Vectric Cut2D Desktop route. It provides everything I need for the time being (I will be upgrading to VCarve soon) and is good to learn Vectrics ways before upgrading. Also, they offer "price difference" upgrades, so you don't lose your initial investment.

I did try Fusion360, but it was far too complicated for this old brain!

3DPMicro

@jumpedwithbothfeet working in an industry that utilizes 5+ axis systems I have a strong feeling the big boys (Desault, PTC, Mastercam, etc) would probably never stand for a cheap/free, "reliable", simultaneous 5 axis system (think aquisition). It takes many 10's of Engineers to create and maintain such a system. However Bobcad/cam, Fushion and several others may negotiate down to a couple months salary. Most all require a yearly maintenance fee.
I have done a ton of 3+2 with a 3 axis system though. It just requires work offsets and visualization.

JoergS5

I recently detected DeskProto multiaxis, seems to be interesting for CNC: https://www.deskproto.com/products/multiax-ed.php For noncommercial/scholar it is about 250 EUR.

JuKu

https://m.all3dp.com/2/best-free-cam-software/

jumpedwithbothfeet

@3dpmicro I don't mind paying a price as I understand a lot of work goes into designing the software, what I do have is a distaste for is monthly/yearly subscriptions which I personally couldn't justify investing in, I`m sure given time there will be more options as I'm sure there is a growing demand/interest in 5 axis cams/slicers for hobbyists, till then like you say, 3+2 works with a little work

Nightowl

@jumpedwithbothfeet
So, assuming Vectric (Cut2D, VCarve or Aspire) would meet your needs, their licence is for life, but any upgrades after the first 12 months would need to be paid for - and that's only really assuming they've added a feature you decide you need.

They support older versions too, as far as I understand it.

jumpedwithbothfeet

@nightowl thanks for the lead I`ll do a little more research into it, Vcarve certainly looks worth looking into, aspire on the other hand is a bit out of my price range!

Nightowl

@jumpedwithbothfeet said in Reprap firmware with cnc... what free cam software?:

aspire on the other hand is a bit out of my price range!

Mine too!

JoergS5

You should really consider DeskProto as well. I've installed the test version now, the 5 axis mode has many options and the program is fast (fast viewer, fast G-code creation). Supported 3D formats seem to be dxf, stl, wrl and vrml, I've used stl.

I've used the 4 MB stl goose from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5438583/files as test.

breed

@joergs5 over a grand for a cam software that isn't mastercam, desault is crazy. I'll write the gcode from scratch before that.

JoergS5

@breed it's 250 EUR for noncommercial usage.

Mastercam is interesting.

cjm

@breed I find CAMBAM works well for me:

https://cambamcnc.com

There’s a decent free evaluation period. If you are only doing small jobs (<1000 lines of gcode) I believe you can continue to use it for free. If you find it suits your needs then it’s not too expensive (£93 one off charge).

I’ve found the documentation clear and the forum helpful.